Geographical Barriers to Education: Assessing the Impact of Distance on Access to Alternative Approaches to Basic Education Centers in Samburu County, Kenya

Abstract

This study examined the distance covered by learners to access AABE centres in Samburu County. AABE was introduced by the Kenya Government, religious entities and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) with the aim of promoting access to basic education and enhancing Universal Primary Education for all (UPE). However, school enrolment and literacy levels in Samburu have been low, at (44%) and (12%) respectively, raising the need to examine the success of AABE in meeting the envisaged purpose. The study tested one hypothesis, namely, distance covered in Samburu County. The study applied a survey research design and collected data from both primary and secondary sources. Three structured questionnaires were used for 400 learners' household heads and 56 teachers in charge of the 56 AABE Centres and 10 AABE providers. Secondary data were obtained from the Ministry of Education offices, AABE Centres, libraries and the internet. A stratified random sampling technique was used to sample the 400 respondents. Data was presented using frequency tabulations, chi-square, multiple regressions and correlation analyses. The findings showed that the distance between home and AABE Centres was found to be an average distance of 2.8 kilometres against the ideal 2.5 km as suggested by the respondents, of whom the majority (62.7%) lived beyond 2.5 km. The study recommended that more studies be done on the viability of AABE in other nomadic pastoral areas and encompass other variables.